Enough by Briana Pacheco Page A

something to tell you. ” Mom said. “We got everything figured out and we’re not going to be moving.”
    I pulled my head back in surprise.
    “What? How?” I asked. They all looked at each other like they have a secret not worth sharing.
    “Someone bought the house a nd left it to us. It’s ours again. Since the owner paid it in full, we don’t have to worry about the payments. I got my job back too. Declan and Scarlett still can’t go to school but we could probably work something out.” Mom said. I smiled. This is great. This is what I wanted.
    So I left them and headed upstairs to talk to Tiffany and Bryan.
    Declan walked into my room with a weird look as I grabbed my phone. “He didn’t tell you?” He asked. What is he talking about? “You guys have been spending some time together. I thought you knew.”
    I raised an eyebrow at him.
    “What are you talking about?” I asked.
    “Alex…h e bought the house.” Alex? What the hell? “He said he would buy it. He didn’t want you to move away because you have something to do in Boston. Didn’t say what but it sounded serious.” Alex bought the house? That’s not right.
    I do n’t know what the hell is going on but I am going to find out.
    I put some flats on and left my room. Declan followed me out. “Where are you going?” He asked.
    “Can you bring me to Alex’s place? I thin k I remember the way.” I said. He stared at me like I was an idiot. I guess I am. “Okay, I’ll drive myself then.” I grabbed Mom’s keys and went outside.
    “Okay, I’ll drive you. What are you going to do there?” I didn’t answer him. I couldn’t. I can only focus on getting to Alex’s place.
    I remembered the way and we got there in fifteen minutes. Declan came to a stop in front of his house and I got out and ran up the stairs. As I was getting out the car I felt like my skin was tearing again. I’ll have to check on that later.
    I rang the door bell a few times and Alex finally answered.
    “Hey, what are y ou doing here? Did you–”
    “What the hell did you do? Did you buy my mom’s house?” I asked. “I really don’t understand what’s going on.” He stared at me, not denying anything. Then he walked back inside his house and I followed.
    “You asked me to find a way to get you not to move. I found a way. I talked with your family and they didn’t like the idea at first but then they thought of what was best for you. They decided to take my offer and it worked out fine.” He said.
    “What offer?” I asked. Everyone is leaving me in the dark.
    “ I offered your mom some money for you to get your own place. She didn’t like the idea so then I mentioned I can buy the house and give her some money to help out.” He said. What?!
    “How much did you offer her?” I asked. Oh, God. Do I really want to know this? He didn’t answer me. “How much?”
    “A few million.” I’m sorry ? I can’t believe what he’s saying. I stared at him in disbelief. What? A few million? He must have known what I was thinking because he said, “Emily, I have money. After my family died, I inherited everything. I wanted to help you out.”
    I ca n’t stop looking at him. He looks so…confident. How could he do this to me? And act like it’s all right? It’s not all right!
    “ Is that why you stuck around? You wanted to see what the fuck was happening to me. Am I some kind of charity case? We don’t need your money, Alex. Is this some pity thing? I was raped and that was the perfect way for you to feel helpful. I can’t believe this. I can’t believe…you.” I snapped.
    “I did it because I care about you. It was selfish but I didn’t want you to–” His eyes moved behind me. Alex tensed up and I turned around. Declan was there. Fuck.
    “Emily …you.” He ran over to Alex and punched him. “Did you do something to my sister?” Declan snapped.
    Shit. I put my hand on Declan’s arm.
    “Declan, he didn’t do anything. He was helping me. So